Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, total more than 78 million strong and account for 26% of the total U.S. population. Yet, 10,000 Boomers retire each day taking with them years of work experience and career knowledge. With current staffing levels pared back as far as they can go, companies are challenged to transfer this experience and knowledge to the next generation of workers.

How to Keep Employee Training Relevant and Interesting

by Michelle Benjamin

In the eyes of some employees, training is considered to be a necessary evil – even if they know employee development is critical in order to keep up on trends, innovations and advancement in their field of expertise. And it doesn’t help that many companies institute a training program with little to no changes year after year due to the cost and time to revamp a program and incorporate new content.

10 Questions to Ask Manufacturing Employees

by Michelle Benjamin

With Baby Boomers retiring, companies must do all it can to keep employees and stem the brain drain as demographics change. Churn is also costly and highly detrimental to manufacturing businesses, which depend on trained workers and production consistency. Here’s what you need to ask to find out what you need to know about your workforce.

There’s a reason entrepreneurs attribute their failures more often than their achievements as contributing to their success in business. In fact, early success — though encouraging — can be blinding as we can tend to miscalculate the effect of sheer luck and timing. How do I know this? I learned this valuable lesson only after failing.

It’s Storm Season – Is your Business Prepared?

by Michelle Benjamin

This winter was a record breaker for the majority of the country. From snowfall, ice to frigidly cold temperatures, this winter was brutal. Spring, even though it is just under way, is showing that it too may be on track to break records. From heavy rains to tornadoes, many cities, homes and businesses have been damaged and, in the worst cases, devastated. The Gulf Coast Back to Business Act (2007) reports that 43% of businesses that close following a natural disaster never reopen.

Advice for Improving Your Employee’s Communication Skills

by Michelle Benjamin

Not all employees are good communicators. Whether it is their personality, their communication style, their delivery method or their overall understanding of the language, some employees will struggle to communicate with their peers, their managers and their corporate partners. Add in technology such as email, texting and social media, and a poor communicator can have a direct impact on your business. Here are some tips on how to develop an employee’s communication skills.

Keeping Off-Shift Employees Engaged Has First-Shift Importance

by Michelle Benjamin

Off-shift workers often can feel neglected, with little interaction with management, human resources, and other departments. Their inclusion in companywide activities can nurture this shift’s employee engagement and prevent workforce issues.

Grow Your Business While Keeping Operation Costs Under Control

by Michelle Benjamin

Whether you are a business with a single employee or one with thousands of employees, keeping operating costs under control is something all businesses struggle with on an ongoing basis. From utilities to employee salaries, there are costs to running a business. These costs don’t have to have a negative impact to your bottom line if they are managed correctly. Here are some ways that businesses regardless of size can keep these costs under control.

Training costs are often among the first budget items to be reduced or eliminated. Smart companies, however, recognize the vital role logistics training plays in keeping their teams ahead of the competition, and choose to manage their training budget carefully.